Shock absorber



p 1940- E. w. KHRUEGER ET AL 2,213,819

SHOCK ABSORBER Filed May 24, 1938 INVENTORS JME WALLACE & 5M5? wlceusazse ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 3, 1940 SHOCK ABSORBER Elmer W. Krueger, Cleveland, and John F. Wallace, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignors to The, Cleveland Pneumatic Tool Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio l Application May 24, 1938, Serial No. 209,712 v 13 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to shock absorbing devices, useful inthe arts generally, and more particularly for use on automobiles to prevent excessive movement of the vehicle body relative to the axles. This application is a continuation in part of the application Serial No. 125,773,

filed February 15, 1937.

One object of this invention is the provision of a shock absorberadapted for use on automolO biles and the like, which will efliciently cushion undue movements of the vehicle body relative to the axle.

Another'object of this invention is to produce a hydro-pneumatic shock absorber constructed and arranged whereby the road shocks will be cushioned or absorbed pneumatically and the rebound movements will be checked hydraulically,

thereby producing an eflicient shock absorbing device particularly adaptable for use with motor 20, vehicles such as automobiles, trucks and the like. Another object of this invention is to produce a shock absorbing device connected to the parts whose movements are to be cushioned in a manner whereby the movements of said parts are transmitted to the absorbing device at a reduced rate of travel, permitting thereby the use oi'a relatively short unit forming a compact assembly or simple construction which is strong, durable and efilplacement of the hydraulic fluid within the cy linders, thereby making the device applicable for emciently absorbing shocks on all kinds of vehicles irrespective of the load carried thereby.

ductlon of a shock absorber of the type above referred to including hydraulic fluid conveying passages controlled by an adequate valve mechanism enabling free flow of the fluid during normal rebound movement of the vehicle body relative to the axle, but capable of checking the flow of the fluidthrough the passages during abnormal conditions of operation, thereby resulting in a shock absorber which will materially increase the 50 riding qualities of the vehicle. I

Other objects and advantages more or less ancillary to the foregoingresidein the specific construction and aggroupment of the elements peculiar to this structure, as will become appa ent "thereto as at it.

Another object of this invention is the profrom a more completeexamination of this speciflcation. I I a In the drawing: a Fig; 1 represents a side view of the shock absorber shown partly in section and connected'to 5 parts ofa vehicle whose relative movements are to be cushioned.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional 'view'taken in a plane indicated by line 22 in Fig. 1. v Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion w of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing in which like symbols designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in designates a cylindrical casing closed at its lower end by a removable plug ii, 15

and formed with an integral back wall i2 to which may be secured, by bolts l3, a plate or bracket M. The shape and size of this bracket may be changed to suit different installations. In the drawing it is shown shaped to fit Withiiigu the side member of a vehicle frame i5 where it is secured by bolts 16.

The cylindrical casing it) has its upper end open to slidably receive an inner cylinder I! having its outer end closed by a cover it welded 25 I The inner cylinder has its inner open end internally threaded to receive the shank 20 of a piston 2| which forms an external annular flange or hearing slidably engaging the inner wall of the casing Hi. The upper end of the o casing 110 is counterbored to provide an annular shoulder 22 forming a rest for a plate 23, which plate-supports a plurality of expansible packings 24 mounted between the cylinders in fluid tight engagement therewith. These packings are secured in position by a gland nut 25 threaded in the upper end portion of the casing i0, through which the packings may be compressed to the desired extent, and forming a sliding bearing for the inner cylinder i1.

Slidably mounted on the piston shank 20 between the piston proper and the extreme lower end of the inner cylinder ii, there is a plate or ring valve 26 having small ports 21 extending therethrough and capable oi registration with an annular groove 28 formed on the adjacent end wall of the piston 2!, which end wall forms a valve seat 2i. The valve 26 is carried by a plurality of equally spaced compression springs 26' mounted within pilot holes 20' formed'in the bottom of the groove 28. Through the piston there is provided a plurality of passages 29 materially larger than the ports 2'l'of the valve 26, which passages open into the groove, 28. The valve 28 is located within an annular chamber or compart-.

ment 36 existing between the cylinders in and I1, and having its ends defined by the plate 23 and the upper end of the piston 2| or valve seat 2|.

The piston 2| is formed with an inner flange 52 having an axial bore 3| extending therethrough and affording communication between the cylinders to form therein a relatively large chamber 32 extending from the lower closed end of the casing ID to the upper closed end ofthe inner cylinder Extending through the bore 3| of the inner flange 52, there is a taper pin 53 formed integral with theqplug II, the purpose of which will be explained later.

The cover I8 of the inner cylinder I1 is cast to form an internal protuberance 33 having a bore 34 extending therethrough and threaded at its upper end to receive a threaded split bushing 35. Slidably mounted within the bore 34 there is a tube 36 having its lower end extending intothe chamber 32, while its upper end which extends through the bushing 35 is internally threaded to receive an air valve 31. Leakage around the tube 36 is prevented by a U-shaped packing 38 disposed around the tube within an annular recess 39. V

' The cover I8 is also provided with two upwardly extending parallel ears 46 having a shaft 4| extending transversally thereof. On this shaft, between the ears 46, is pivotally mounted one end of a lever- 42. Intermediate its ends, the lever 42 is pivotally connected to one end of a supporting link 43,- which has its other end pivotally cagied' by a shaft or bolt 44. This bolt extends through. cars 45 formed on one side of the casing I0. The'three pivotal connections above referred to may be of any suitable type designed to limit friction and the deleterious effect thereof. The other end of the lever is formed with one transversally disposed cylindrical boss 46 which is bored to receive a rubber bushing 41- having pivotally mounted therein one end of a connecting rod '48, The otherv end of therod is threaded to receive nuts 49 by which the rod may be secured a to the vehicle axle 56 or to its component spring 5|. 'Besides the boss 46, thelever 42 may be formed with oneor more similar bosses which may be bored at will to suit different installations. t

Leading, from the lower 'end of the cylindrical housing Ill into the upper end of the annular compartment 30, there is a passage 54 formed within the wall of the housing Ill and controlled by a needle valve 55 mounted within a boss 56 formed on the housing l0, and operable by a hand wheel or handle 51. j

Assuring a fluid tight joint between the piston 2| and the inner wall of the housing l0, there is I i that when liquid is poured into the chamber 32, 74$

a packing 58 operatively carried by the piston 2|. Operation: When the shock absorber is installed on a vehicle as shown in the drawing, the load is first removed from the lever 42 by jacking up the spring 5| until the inner cylinder is moved inwardly about one inch from the closed end of the casing i0. Subsequently the 'air valve 31- is removed and liquid, such as oil or the like, is

poured into the chamber 32 through the tube 36 until the latter is filled up. The spring 'is then again jacked up until the lower end of the inner cylinder engages the-closed end of the casing l0, thereby forcing the liquid into the annular compartment 30 while the excessive liquid in the chamber 32 is forced to escape through the tube 36. With the'present construction, it is evident the liquid level can not extend beyond the end of -in the drawing or is positioned s'ubstantiallyhalf way between the ends of its possiblestroke.

During actual operation, the road shocks imparted to the axle 50 and spring 5|, are transmitted by the lever 42 to' the inner cylinder Due to the position of the fulcrum of the lever, which is calculated to produce a two to one ratio between the end movements of the lever, the movement imparted to the spring will be transmitted to the inner cylinder at a reduced rate of travel, thus allowing the possible stroke of the shock absorber to be only one half the length of the possible movement-of the spring'relative to the frame l5. When the wheels of the vehicle pass over an obstruction or enter a depression in a road so as to cause the springs 5] to close orgive and the. body of the vehicle to lower, the inner cylinder I! will move downwardly within ,the

cylinder Hi. In this instance the compressed air 'the inward moyement of the piston 2| relative to the cylinderlll, liquid from the chamber 32 will flow freely intothe compartment 30 through the piston passages 29 and around the valve 26,

which valve is maintained open relative to the passages 29 by the compression spring 26'.

As the piston 2|reaches theclosed end of the outer cylinder, the tapered pin. 53 extending through the bore 3| of the piston-will gradually reduce the liquid conveying capacity of the bore 3|, thereby gradually checking the downward movement of the inner cylinder until the bore 3| is almost completely closed bythe pin, in which instance further downward movement of the inner cylinder is prevented by the liquid trapped between the piston 2| and the closedend of the.

outer cylinder l0.

Subsequently, the energy accumulated in the springs 5| and within the upper end portion of the inner cylinder I], will cause the rebound 'or upward movement of the vehicle body relative to the axle 56, which upward movement is transmitted to the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder In. In this instance, the volumetric capacity of the compartment 30 is reduced due to themovement of the piston 2| toward the plate 23, thus compelling the liquid to fiow from the compartment 30 into the chamber 32 through the passages 29. The springs 26' carrying the valve 26 are calculated in a manner causing them to maintain the valve 26 open when the liquid from the compartment 36 flows into the chamber ,32 ata relatively slowrate of speed, in which instance the combinedforce of the springs is greater than the pressure exerted on the valve by the flow of the liquid from the compartment 36 into the chamber 32'. In other words, when the Vehicle is subjected only to small shocks or vibrations encountered when travelingv over good v roads, the small displacement of the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder II! will not, during the rebound of the vehicle body, re= duce'the volumetric capacity of the compartment ber, a pressure actuated valve controlling said passage to admit liquid to said'chamber freely as the cylinders are moved in telescoping direction, and spring means associated with said valve maintaining it open relative to said passage during certain conditions of operation of said cylinders in the extended direction but enabling movement of the valve into closed position relative to said passage during other conditions of operation of said cylinders in said last direction.

5. In a shock absorber, a pair of telescoping cylinders having liquid stored therein, guiding bearing and packing means between said cylinders, a liquid chamber between said cylinders, a connecting passage through the wall of one of said cylinders communicating with said chamber, a pressure actuated valve c'ontrolling said passage to admit liquid to said chamber freely as the cylinders are moved in telescoping direction, spring means associated with said valve maintaining it open relative to said passage during certain conditions of operation of said cylinders in the extended direction but enabling movement of the valve into closed position relative to said passage during other conditions of operation of said cylinders in said last direction, and a restricted orifice to permit escape of the liquid from said chamber during closed position of said valve relative to said passage.

6. In a shock absorber, a pair of telescoping cylinders having liquid and fluid stored therein,

means including an orificed member inter-connecting said cylinders and a metering pin slidable through the orifice of said member for controlling the fiow of liquid from one cylinder to the other, a chamber between said cylinders,

' a connecting passage through the wall of one of said cylinders to convey liquid to said chamber when the cylinders are moving in the collapsing direction, pressure responsive valve means capable of at least partly closing said cylinders having liquid and fluid stored therein,

necting said cylinders and a metering pin slidable through the orifice of said member for controlling the fiow or liquid from one cylinder to the other, a chamber between said cylinders, a connecting passage through thewall of one of said cylinders to convey liquid to said chamber when the cylinders are moving in the collapsing direction, a pressure responsive valve movable into closed position relative to said passage when the cylinders are moving in the extending direction, spring means retarding movement of said valve into closed position relative to said passage, and a restricted port through said valve communicating with said passage to permit restricted flow of the liquid from said chamber .when said passage is closed by said valve. I 8. In a. shock absorber, a pair of telescoping cylinders having liquid and fluid stored therein, a chamber between said cylinders, a connecting port leading from one of said cylinders to said chamber to convey liquid into said chamber when the cylinders are moving in the collapsing position, pressure responsive valve means to conftrol escape of the liquid from said chamber through said port when the cylinders are mov-' ing in the extending direction, and a passageway leading from said chamber'to the other cylinder enabling escape of the liquid from said chamber when said cylinders .are moving in the extending; direction.

9. In a stock absorber, a pair of telescoping cylinders having liquid and fiuid stored therein, a chamber between said cylinders, a connecting port leading from the smaller of said' cylinders to said chamber to convey liquid into said chamber when the cylinders are moving in the collapsing position, pressure responsive spring mounted valve means to control escape of the liquid from said chamber through said port when the cylinders are moving in the extending direction, a passageway leading from said chamber to the other cylinder enabling escape of the liquid from said chamber when saidcylinders means for controlling the liquid conveying capacity of said passageway.

10. In a shock absorber, a pair of telescoping cylinders, liquid and fluid in the cylinders, a liquid chamber between the cylinders, a pair of connecting passages leading from said cylinders and opening into said chamber one.- above the other, and pressure responsive spring supported valve means within said chamber to control the lower of said passageways when the cylinders are moved in the extending direction.

11. In a shock absorber, a pair of telescoping cylinders, liquid and fluid in the cylinders, a liquid chamber between the cylinders, a main and an auxiliary orifice respectively through the wall of one and the wall of the other of said cylinders, and pressure responsive valve means con-' trolling the main orifice to open said orifice when the cylinders are moving in the telescoping di-' rection and to at least partly close said orifice when the cylinders are moving in the extending direction.

12. In a shock absorber, a pair of telescoping cylinders, liquid and fluid in the cylinders, a

liquid chamber between the cylinders, a main and an auxiliary orifice respectively through the wall of one and the wall of the other of said cylinders, pressure responsive valve means controlling the main orifice to open said orifice when the cylinders are moving in the telescoping direction and to at least partly close said orifice when the cylinders are moving in theextending direction, and means for selectively controlling the liquid conveying capacity of the auxiliary orifice.

13.'In a shock absorber, inner and outer telescoping cylinders, liquid and fluid in the cylinders, a piston carried by the inner end of the inner cylinder, at liquid chamber between said cylinders above said piston, a pair of passages leading from said chamber and opening into said cylinders one above and the other one below said piston irrespective of the position of said cylinders relative to one another, and pressure responsive valve means controlling one of said passages to enable freer flow of the liquid through said passage in one direction than in the other.

I ELMER w. KRUEGER.

JOHN F. WALLACE.

are moving in the extending direction, and

30 fast enough to create sufiicient pressure on the liquid within the compartment 30 capable of overcoming the combined force of the springs 26'. Consequently, under normal conditions of operation, the valve 26 .will remain open and the free flow of the liquid from the compartment 30 into the chamber 32 will not check the small rebound of the vehicle body, thereby enabling the springs to resiliently carry the vehicle body without interference. However, when the vehicle is subjected to more pronounced shocks, the rebound movements resulting therefrom will tend to move the innerfcylinder upwardly at a greater rate of speed, thereby causing a more rapid reduction in the volumetric capacity of the compartment and a consequential increase of pressure on the liquid contained in the compartment 30, which increase of pressure is now sufiicient to overcome the combined force of the springs 26 and cause the valve 26 to move into engagement with the valve seat 2| needle valve 55 is closed relative to the passage 54, the liquid from the compartment 30 will be compelled to flow into the chamber 32 via the ports 21 of the valve 26, which ports are of a combined area calculated to retard the flow of the liquid therethrough, thereby checking the upward movement of the inner cylinder I1 relative' to the outercylinder I0 and consequently the rebound movement of the vehicle body with respect to the axle.

When the vehicle carries an excessive load, it has been found. advantageous to allow a freer flow of the liquid from the compartment 30 into the chamber 32. To that end, the needle valve 55 may be rotated through its handle 51 into a more or less complete openposition relative to the passage 54, thereby enabling the liquid to flow from the compartment 30 into the chamber 32 through the additional passage 54. Through the needle valve 55, the liquid conveying capacity .of the passage 54 maybe varied at will, thereby controlling the speed of the upward movement of the inner cylinder l1 relative to the outer cylinder I0, and resulting in'a shock absorber wherein the efiectiveness of the rebound check is adjustable at will.

ity, permitting thereby slight road shocks to bev efliciently cushioned by the shock absorber. When the device is intended for use with heavy duty vehicles such as trucks and the like, the tube 36 may be raised to reduce the volumetric capacity'of the pneumatic chamber, and cause the compressed air admitted therein to reach a higher pressure necessary forefiiciently absorbing the heavy load and shocks transmitted to the axle.

that with the present construction the road shocks are primarily absorbed by the compressed air within the pneumatic chamber, and that the rebounds are checked by'the restricted flow oi In this instance, if the From the foregoing description, it is evidentthe liquid from the annular compartment 30 to the chamber 32, thus resulting in an eflicient by j be restrictive or confining and it is to be further understood that various rearrangements of parts and modifications of structural detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

I claim: 1. A shock absorbercomprising a pair of telescopically mounted cylinders, a chamber and a compartment between'the outer ends of said cylinders, communicating means between said chamber and compartment, compressed fluid and liquid within said chamber for checking the telescopic movement of said cylinders in one direction, liquid within said compartment adapted to flow freely into said chamber during telescopic movement of said cylinders in the otherdirection as long as the rate of speed of .said last movement remains below a predetermined maximum, means automatically reducing the rate of flow of the liquid from said compartment into said chamber for checking said last movement when the rate of speed thereof exceeds said predetermined maximum, and means for selectively controlling the reducing rate of said flow.

2. In a shock absorber comprising a pair of telescoping cylinders, a piston on the inner end of the inner cylinder, an orifice through said piston, compressible fluid and liquid stored within said cylinders the former subjected to compression upon displacement of the latter through said orifice during inward movement of said cylinders, a metering pin slidable through said orifice for gradually reducing the liquid conveying capacity thereof toward the end of said inward movement,

a compartment between said cylinders having liquid stored therein, passages leading from said compartment into said inner cylinder above said piston; a valve movable into open or closed position relative to said passages, and spring means maintaining said valve in open position during certain conditions of operation but enabling movement of said valve into closed position during other conditions of operation.

3. 'Ashock absorber comprisinga pair of telescoping cylinders, a piston on the inner end of the inner cylinder, an orifice through said piston, liquidand compressible fluid stored within said cylinders, the former being compelled to flow through said orifice during inward movement of said cylinders for compressing the latter, a compartment between said cylinders having liquidmatically operative only toward the end of said inward movement for reducing the motive fluid conveying capacity of said orifice.

4.- In a shock absorber,- a pair of telescoping cylinders having liquid stored therein, guiding ders,-a' liquid chamber between said'cylinders, a

- bearing and packing means-between said cylin connecting passage through the wallet one of 'saidcylinders communicating with said chain-- CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

September 5, 191m.

Patent No. 2,215,819.

. ELMER w.v KRUEGER, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 14., second column, line 15, claim 9, and that the'said Letters Patent should be read in that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Signed and sealed this 5th day of November, A. D. who.

with this correction there- Office.

'' Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

specification for the-word "mounted" read "supported"; 

